Three days after DMK President M Karunanidhi passed away in Chennai, the party announced that it would hold an urgent Executive Committee meeting at 10 am on August 14. The announcement comes after working President MK Stalin met with General Secretary K Anbazhagan on Friday morning.

While there is speculation that Karunanidhi’s younger son MK Stalin will be elevated to the post of the party President from his present title of working President, DMK Rajya Sabha MP TKS Elangovan told TNM that the Executive Committee meeting has been called to offer condolences to the late leader.

“The Executive Committee has no role in the process (of elevation). The existing rules permit Stalin to continue as the working President. The post of working President is to function during the absence of the President. The Executive Committee cannot ratify or appoint him as President. Only the General Council can elect posts such as President, General Secretary and Treasurer,” said TKS Elangovan. He added that the post of President will remain vacant for now and will be filled once the General Council meets and elects the next leader of the party.

Meanwhile, it is speculated that there will be shuffle in the top rung of leadership, with 96-year-old K Anbazhagan – Karunanidhi’s long-time friend and the General Secretary of the party likely to step down from his post. Reports also suggest that Rajya Sabha MP and daughter of Karunanidhi Kanimozhi may be given a key post in the rejig.

Karunanidhi, who passed away on August 7, had completed 49 years as President of the DMK in July. Stalin, who was named Karunanidhi’s heir apparent in 2013, was appointed as the working President of the party in January 2017. This owing to Karunanidhi’s failing health. The other posts he has held include Treasurer, and President of the Youth Wing of the DMK. He was also Mayor of Chennai between 1996 and 2002 and was appointed as Deputy Chief Minister in 2009.